Page 2698 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 July 2008
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As I said, they always, every single day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, work in the interests of children and young people and protecting children and young people from any unsafe situations. That will occur whether there is an MOU or not. MOUs, of course, are preferred, because that establishes in writing very clearly exactly what procedures need to be followed. But where there is an issue identified, and there has been in this case, and I have been up-front about that from the first opportunity, we need to have a look at what that means, how that came to light and how we address that. But it had nothing to do with the MOU in this instance. It had to do with another arm of the police responding to a different alleged offence.
Children—protection
MR SMYTH: Mr Speaker, my question is to the Attorney-General. Minister, ACT laws prevent the publication of any material that may identify child victims of crime. Last week the Canberra and national media broadcast pictures of the house lived in by a family whose mother is facing charges of neglect. Minister, did any person in ACT Policing notify members of the media of the location of the house in connection with the media release issued by the AFP on 25 June 2008?
MR CORBELL: I did not hear the last part of the question.
MR SMYTH: Did any member of ACT Policing notify members of the media of the location of the house in connection with the media release issued by the AFP on 25 June 2008
MR CORBELL: No.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question from Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, what investigations have been undertaken or will be undertaken into the circumstances of the media coverage of this issue subsequent to the media release of 25 June?
MR CORBELL: Mr Speaker, the disclosure of the address of the home in question where the children were found in the incident last week is very regrettable. It is a matter that was not prompted in any way by the actions of the police or by officers from children, youth and family services. I am advised that another member of that extended family in question contacted media outlets directly to advise them.
Members—travel
MR MULCAHY: My question is to you, Mr Speaker, and relates to planned travel. Can you advise the Assembly of the duration of the trip and how much it will cost to send you and Mr Pratt and any other officials to Kiribati, and can you advise if any of these amounts are being met by members’ study allowances?
MR SPEAKER: I can advise that they are being treated as Assembly business, but I will get the details and report back to you. It will be much less than your trip to America, Mr Mulcahy.
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